Predictive value of red cell distribution width in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CHD.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension, a common consequence of untreated CHD, is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. Recent researches have demonstrated that patients with clinically severe cardiovascular illnesses, including pulmonary hypertension, have a greater mortality risk when their red cell distribution width is high. This work aimed to assess the predictive value of red cell distribution width in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension-CHD and to correlate red cell distribution width with various clinical and echocardiographic data.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictive and prognostic marker in children with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in children with acute heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, to assess the predictive and prognostic values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and to correlate its levels with brain natriuretic peptide and other various data in these patients.

Method: We included 50 children with acute heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy as the patient group. Fifty healthy children of matched age and sex served as the control group.

lncRNA GAS5 and RUNX1 Genes in Children With Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia.

We aimed to evaluate the expression levels and the prognostic value of growth arrest specific 5 (GAS5) and runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) genes in children with ITP. This prospective cohort study included 100 patients with newly diagnosed ITP (patient group) and 100 healthy children of matched age and sex (control group). We evaluated the expression levels of both GAS5 and RUNX1 genes at the time of diagnosis before the introduction of treatment.

The Impact of SKP2 Gene Expression in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Introduction: The prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients has been dramatically improved with the introduction of imatinib (IM), the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). TKI resistance is a serious problem in IM-based therapy. The human S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) gene may play an essential role in the genesis and progression of CML.

CCL2 rs1024611Gene Polymorphism in Philadelphia-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Introduction: The onset of the Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is caused by acquired somatic mutations in target myeloid genes “driver mutations”. The CCL2 gene is overexpressed by non-Hodgkin lymphomas and multiple solid tumors. Aim of the study: to evaluate the possible association of CCL2 rs1024611 SNP and its expression level and the risk of developing Philadelphia-negative MPNs.

BAFF rs9514828 gene polymorphism and the risk of the development of inhibitors in children with severe haemophilia A.

Introduction: Haemophilia A (HA) is an x-linked recessive disease due to deficiency of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). The development of neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) against infused FVIII is a major concern. B cell activating factor (BAFF) has been implicated in several autoimmune diseases.

Platelet Activation Markers in Children with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated with Congenital Heart Disease.

The study aimed to evaluate mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platecrit in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD), to assess the predictive value of these platelet activation markers for adverse outcomes, and to correlate their levels with various data in these patients. This prospective cohort study included 60 children with PAH-CHD as group I and 60 children with CHD and no PAH as group II. Another 60 healthy children of matched age and sex served as the control group.

Evaluation of admission levels of P, E and L selectins as predictors for thrombosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Thromboembolic complications are the most reported cause of death in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Hypercoagulability, platelets activation and endotheliopathy are well-recognized features in COVID-19 patients. The aim of this work was to evaluate circulating soluble selectins P, E and L at the time of hospital admission as predictors for upcoming thrombosis.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and SALL4 and BMI-1 gene expression.

Background: Sal-like protein 4 transcription factor (SALL4) and B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMI-1) gene were reported to cause treatment failure and relapse in several malignancies. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of SALL4 and BMI-1 in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out on 60 children with ALL as the patient group and 60 age- and sex-matched children as the control group.

Plasma copeptin levels in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease.

The study aimed to evaluate the plasma copeptin levels in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD), to assess the predictive value of plasma copeptin level for adverse outcomes, and to correlate its levels with various data in these patients. We included 25 children with PAH-CHD as group I and 25 children with CHD and no PAH as group II. Twenty-five healthy children of matched age and sex served as the control group.

Vitamin D in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory functions.

Goals: The authors investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and hypovitaminosis D on disease activity, quality of life (QOL), inflammatory markers, and cytokines.

Study: This randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial included 120 children with IBD and hypovitaminosis D; 22 of them were excluded later.

Galectin-3 as a prognostic biomarker for diabetic nephropathy.

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) represents one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Galectin-3 has been implicated in pathogenesis of many pathological conditions. To date, there are limited data regarding the relationship between galectin-3 and DN.

Prognostic value of homocysteine and highly sensitive cardiac troponin T in children with acute heart failure.

Objective: Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disorder in children. Many HF biomarkers have been identified to assess its severity and predict its course. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of plasma levels of homocysteine (HCY) and highly sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in children with HF.

Vitamin D supplementation in adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome: Is it useful? A randomized controlled trial.

Background/aim: Vitamin D deficiency is common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There is growing interest in the role of vitamin D in pediatric IBS. We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in adolescents with IBS and vitamin D deficiency.

Serum Osteocalcin Levels in Children With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between osteocalcin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with obesity.

Method: 60 obese children with NAFLD were taken as a patient group and 60 obese children and normal liver with matching age, sex, and body mass index were taken as a control group. Anthropometric measurements, abdominal ultrasonography for diagnosis and grading of NAFLD, and laboratory investigations in the form of liver function tests, lipid profile, fasting serum glucose and insulin, and serum osteocalcin levels were done for all children.

Cardiac injury after convulsive status epilepticus in children.

Objective: Convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) is a medical emergency with high mortality that usually occurs within 30 days following the seizure activity. One of the potential mechanisms contributing to mortality in this period following CSE is cardiac injury. The aim of the present study was to evaluate cardiac injury after CSE in children.

Serum Midkine and Osteopontin Levels as Diagnostic Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a primary tumor of the liver; it is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein which is implicated in enhancing invasive and metastatic progression of many tumors. Midkine (MDK) is a 13-kDa small heparin-binding growth factor which plays a significant role in carcinogenesis related activities.

The effect of atrial natriuretic peptide infusion on intestinal injury in septic shock.

Background And Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in septic shock.

Material And Methods: A prospective randomized controlled, observer-blinded study was carried out in surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), University Hospital. Forty adult patients in septic shock were randomly divided into two groups, control group (Group C) received normal saline and ANP group (Group A) patients received ANP in the form of 1.

Role of edaravone in managemant of septic peritonitis.

Background And Aims: Sepsis is a complex rapidly progressive infectious disease that remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients and trauma victims. Edaravone a novel free radical scavenger was approved in 2001 in Japan for treatment of acute cerebral and myocardial infarction. Hence, in this work we attempt to evaluate its role in cases of septic peritonitis (SP).

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Plasma Levels of Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C as a Novel Biomarker in Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) has high morbidity and mortality in children. This study aimed to investigate the value of cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in children with heart failure. This study was a prospective case-control study that involved 50 children with acute HF and 25 healthy children of matched age and sex as a control group.